Utilisation Of Herbal Products And Concomitant Use With Conventional Medicine In Githunguri Division, Kiambu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) is increasing globally, especially in developing countries. Indeed, over 80% of the population in developing countries depends on traditional medicine. In Kenya, traditional medicine especially herbal medicine is widely used with over 70% of population having been reported to be dependent on it for primary health care. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the growing use of traditional medicines, both in developed and developing nations, has been mirrored by an increasing number of reports of adverse effects. To understand the effectiveness, reliability, and quality of CAM and to provide standardization in its analysis, documentation on utilization of herbal medicine is important. This study sought to investigate the utilization of herbal medicine, amidst concern of adverse effects associated with concomitant use with conventional medicine, adulteration and toxicity. The main objective of this study was to investigate the utilization of herbal products and concomitant use of herbal medicines with conventional medicine in Githunguri Division, Kiambu County. The study was descriptive and cross sectional in design. Twenty herbal clinics and users of herbal products were randomly selected. Names of herbal clinics were assigned numbers and using the random number table, proportionate sample based on the number of clients who visit them were selected. Subjects who were 18 years and above were systematically recruited into the study. In this study 323 herbal users were recruited. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected using semi structured questionnaires. The instruments were pre-tested at Ikinu Division in Kiambu County. Chi-square was used to determine the association of predictor variables on concomitant use of herbal medicines with conventional medicine. The odd ratios were calculated to compare concomitant use with various variables. A total of 323 herbal users who completed the questionnaire were included in the analysis. Majority of herbal users were aged above 40 years and had high education. Most frequent health conditions for which herbs were used included both acute illnesses like malaria and chronic conditions like arthritis, allergy, gout, diabetes and high blood pressure. The most common used herbs were Warbugia ugandensis and Citrus aurantiifolia. Chronic illnesses are the common diseases that elicit use of herbal products. Apart from treating illnesses, need for supplements and cosmetics, sleep improvement, appetite improvement and need for vitality were other non- medical conditions contributing to use of herbal medicines Concomitant use of herbal medicines with conventional medication was reported by 42.5%. The study found people believe that since herbal medicines and supplements are promoted as natural, they are safe and less likely to cause side effects than prescription medication. Finally, herbalists need to understand the extent and patterns of concomitant herbal use with conventional medicine by patients and efforts to elicit information from patients about herbal use may be warranted to fight concomitant use. Further studies are needed to determine prevalence of adverse effect of concomitant use of specific herbs on specific conventional drug, develop effective interventions for primary health care professionals and patients to improve medication safety and efficacy. Also on how traditional medicine can integrated in western dominated health system.